Improvement in hedge-trimmers



S'. T. HYDE.`

i HedgeV Trimmer. No. 89,769. VPatented may 4, 1999.

N. PETERS. Phukulhngmpmr. washington. D. C,

y S. HYDE, OF FIASA, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEDGE-TRIMMERS.

Specification forming part ot' Letters Patent No. 89,769, dated May 4, 1869.

a view of the 'extensible pitman detached.

Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts 1n all the figures.

My invention consists in a novel arrangei ment of the hinged vertically-adjustable cutting apparatus relative to the fixed vertical cutters; in the construction of the extensible pitman or connecting rod, through which motion is communicated to theadjustable cutters; and in a novel arrangement' of means for controlling and turning the machine, as hereinafter explained.

To enable others to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings.

A Al represent a main frame, made in form substantially as represented in Fig. 1, the longitudinal bars or frame-pieces being indicated by A and the transversebars by A1. These bars are made of any suitable size to give the required strength to the frame, and are mortised and tenonedl or bolted together vin the usual manner.

' B B' are the main carrying-wheels, one of which, B', isalso the drivin g-wheel, and both of which are mounted ,on a common axle, C,

in such manner as to be free to rotate thereon..

The wheel B is provided with an internallycogged rim or wheel, D, which gears into and drives a spur-pinion on 4the inner end of a counter-shaft, E, which is mounted in suitable boxes or bearings on the main frame A, and which is armed at its opposite or outer end with a spur and bevel wheel, F, from which motion is imparted to the two sets of cutters, in a manner hereinafter explained.

Gr represents a cutting apparatus, which may be constructed with a finger bar and fingers similar to those usually employed in harvesting-machines, and with the ordinary reciprocatin g scalloped cutter or sickle, or with a series of vibrating shear-blades, such as are represented in the plan view of the hinged cutting apparatus, Fig. l. This cutting apparatus G is rigidly connected, through the fingerdicatedby 0.,) by means of a plate or casting, g', iirmly bolted to said finger-bar and framepiece, and is provided at its lower end with an enlarged finger or shoe, made in runner form to facilitate it-s passage over the ground.

H is a second cutting apparatus, of a construction similar to Gr, but which, instead of being connected centrally of its length and rigidly to the frame A, is supported at one end in a shoe or plate, H', which is hinged to an adjustable horizontal bar, A2, in such manner as to admit of its being depressed or turned down. into a horizontal or nearly h orizontal position, as represented by the drawing, or raised into a vertical position, forming an extension of the fixed cutter g, or turned into any intermediate position, as desired. `The bar A2, `to which said cutter H' is hinged, is provided at its rear end with a tenou adapted to 'work or be adjusted up and down in a groove desired height by means of a pin or set-screw or other suitable appliance for the purpose.'

The forward end of bar A2 is adjusted and held at the desired height by means ot' adjustable bar or bolt A4.

The upright A3 may be braced from the main frame in any suitable manner to give it the desired strength and rigidity for the support of the cutter H. n

The wheel F, mounted on the counter-shaft E, is beveled on its inner face, or that face adjacent to the drive-wheel, and is provided with teeth, into 'which the teeth of a bevelpinion, F', 011 the rear end of a crank-shaft, f, mesh, as .shown in Fig. 1. Said crankshaft is mounted in boxes or bearings on the transverse frame-bar A1, (indicated by a,) and has attached to the crank on its forward end `one end of an extensible pitman, c, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) the opposite end of which is connected to a pivoted lever, d, the forward end of which is connected with and drives the cutters of the hinged cutting apparatus in a manner that will be readily understood from the drawing. j

Turion.

bar g, to the longitudinal frame-piece A, (inin the upright A3, and may be retained at the attached,

` plate, hinged to The pitman c is made in two parts, which are slotted to admit of their relative adjustment, and held together by means of set or thumb screws. Bythis construction the length of the pitman may be varied to adapt it to the varying distance of the adjustable cutter from the crank-shaft jl The wheel F is further provided with teeth on its periphery, into which gear the teeth of a pinion, e, on crank-shaft el, from which motion is imparted through pitman e2 and pivoted lever e3 to the cutters of the fixed vertical cutting apparatus Gr. The wheel F thus serves, through its bevel and spur teeth, to operate both sets of cutters.

I is the pole or tongue, to which the team is a and by means of which the machine 1s propelled or pushed forward overthe ground. Said pole is hinged at its forward end to the main frame in such manner as to admit of its being turned horizontally, and is supported at its rear end by means of a caster-wheel, i, mounted in aswiveling rod, t', provided at its upper end with a cross-head or levers in such manner as to be under the control of the attendant in his scat or stand on the rear end of pole I. J is a fifth-wheel or semicircular notched frame A, which serves to brace and steady the tongue, and, through latch j, working into the notches therein, and the rod or link j and lever 7'2 extending to within convenient reach of the attendant, to regulate or hold the tongue against lateral play or adjustment.

7c is a sliding rod or link, supported in ways on the tongue and operated by a lever, k. (See Fig. 2.) Said rod 7c is connected at its forward end to one end of a pivoted lever, Z, the opposite end of which is intended, at the option of the attendant, to bear against the periphery of the outer wheel, B, and to act as a brake for the purpose of causing the machine to turn to the right, as hereinafter explained.

K is a lever, hinged to the frame in such lnanner as to be free to turn horizontally, but made rigid vertically, and extending back to within reach of the driver, for the purpose of enabling him to vibrate the frame A on its axle C, and thereby to adjust or control the height of the cutting apparatus. In suitable ways on said lever K is arranged a sliding` rod, m, the forward end of which is connected to a right-angled lever, n, one arm of which is intended to connect with a sliding clutch, or with the pinion on counter-shaft E, for throwing the same into or out of gear with the cogged wheel D on driving-wheel B.

The operation of the several parts of the machine in cutting or trimming hedges will the action of the cutters during the progress of the machine over the ground being similar to that of similar cutters in harvesting-machines, except that the position of the cutters is varied to adapt them to the work for which they are intended.

The greater resistance to the progress of the machine, or what -is termed the side draft,7 will be on the left or cutter side of the frame, producing a tendency to constantly turn the machine in that direction. This action is resisted by a pin or stop, o, in the curved plate I, which resists the deection of the tongue, except when it is desired to turn the machine to the left, when the said stop is removed.

When itis desired to turn the machine to the tongue is turned by the attendant sufficiently to throw the cutting' apparatus away from or out of the hedge, when the cutters may be thrown out of gear and the brake applied to the outer wheel, B, in the manner explained, thereby changing the side draft to the right., when, by releasing the latch j from the notched plate J, the machine is turned as desired, after which, the brake being removed from wheel B, the machine is again advanced in the required direction over the ground.

Itis intended to have a spring connected with latch j, so that said latch ill be always held in lock with curved platen", except when it is withdrawn for turning thg/Qnachine.

The opening in the frame ait-2.;3 between the frame-timbers (indicated by a a2,) allows the cut material to fall to the ground without coming in contact with the frame or tending in any way to obstruct the machine or gearing.

Having now described my improvements, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The adjustable hinged cutter H, arranged relatively to the fixed vertical cutter, substantially as shown and described.

2. The extensible pitman, constructed as described, in combination with the adjustable hinged cut-ting apparatus, for the purpose set forth.

3. The employment of the friction-brake l and locking lever or latch j, arranged as described, for enabling the attendant to control and turn the machine, as set forth.

4. The iixed and adjustable cutters G and H, in combination with the crank-shafts f and e and the bevel and spur wheel F, all arranged and operating as described.

S. T. HYDE.

Witnesses:

EDWARD F. CoREY,

be understood without further explanation,

O. L. EAsTHAM.

the right the guide-wheel at the rear end of 

